Energy Tip for Week of June 10, 2019

by Utah Nickel
June 10, 2019

Water, Water, but not Everywhere

Water, Water, but not Everywhere

When we use water, we generally add contaminants to it (like soap, food products and chemicals) which must be removed before the water can be used again. Close to three quarters of the earth’s surface is covered with water, but less than 1% is available for drinking using conventional water treatment.

Water we use in our houses ends up filtering back into the groundwater system. The less water we use, the less water is mixed with the grey water in our systems, and less detergents and other pollutants need removal or are likely to enter the water column before breaking down.

Not only does saving water reduce town expenses, it also reduces your water bill. Simple actions can help. When brushing your teeth, turn the water off until you are ready to rinse. When shaving, the less hot water used, the more energy (and water) is saved, so lather up and turn off the water until you need it. In New England we often think we have all the water we can use, but this is not accurate. Saving water now means more access in the future.